"As with last week's A- and AS-level results, today is a time to celebrate the success of pupils in Wales.

"A 98% pass rate is very good. This year's results maintain the success of last year's and move us towards the targets we have set for the coming years."

Gender gap

Across the UK, the boys began closing the gender gap on the higher-achieving girls, cutting the the gap at grades A* to C by 0.8% to 8.9%.

Overall passes were slightly fewer than in Wales at 97.9%, while the number of A* to C passes grew more quickly, by 0.5% to 57.1%.

In Wales, most passes at A to C were recorded in chemistry, while fewest were in the science single award and English.

The marginal drop in the overall pass rate is so small that it is not being seen as a cause for concern.

Education Minister Jane Davidson welcomed the results

The General Teaching Council for Wales said the results are remarkable, given all the extra work teachers have had to cope with, following the controversial introduction of the new AS levels for sixth-formers.

In Swansea, there was a drop of 0.3% in the number of A* to G passes, while Carmarthenshire recorded 98.7% passes in that spectrum.

On the gender gap, National Union of Teachers general secretary Doug Macavoy said: "Maybe boys are doing better at combining their studies with enjoyment.

"Maybe they've learned a lesson from girls and are working out a better balance.